The Machete and the Midwife

A donor update nestled inside a conversation series about reimagining money, community, and culture.

You were led to this page because you have directly impacted either My Reflection Matters Village (MRMV) or Raising Free People Network (RFPN)

using money and authentic connection as the resources you shared and invited. Thank you for being a donor-partner! We are so excited about this upcoming conversation series we're co-hosting, and as one of our valued supporters, we really want you to be a part of it.

Now, this ain’t your typical donor update. We’re intentionally moving away from that tired old donor-recipient dynamic. Instead, we want to create a space for heart-centered, reciprocal relationships – where the flow of value goes both ways.

You see, a big part of our vision is dismantling the harmful notions of what people with access to money “should” do, and what people without access to money “aren’t doing or need to prove.” We know from experience that true change happens with authentic togethering, which can’t happen if we don’t recognize or value the unique skills and perspectives that all of us bring.

Over three virtual sessions in the coming months, we’ll be using a “death, reimagine, birth” framework to explore the role of money, resources, and relationships in our community.

TOPICS + TIMELINE

Fall Harvest (October).
Another Fall Harvest (November).
or Two Winter Sit-Ins (December, January)

  • The Machete and the Midwife (October 10)
  • The Solid Wall and the Coral Reef (November or December)
  • The Waterfall and the River (January)

We want to hear your ideas on how MRM can become more regenerative, so we can have an even bigger impact. But it's not just about supporting us - we also have valuable services like podcasting, event planning, and immersive cultural experiences that we think could benefit you and your networks.

The goal is to collaboratively generate new ways for us to support each other, whether that's us offering paid services, or you helping to amplify our work through your networks. We're really trying to forge deeper, more reciprocal relationships where everyone feels like relationship-building, not just transactions, are what’s happening.

THREE-POINT FRAMEWORK

Using a "death, reimagine, birth" framework and drawing from past MRM dialogues, we'll create a rare space for diverse voices to come together and reimagine:

  • How we support (and undermine) under-resourced and well-resourced communities
  • The equitable generation, distribution, and stewardship of all kinds of resources - not just financial
  • The deeper, more heart-centered connections between MRM supporters, community members, and philanthropic partners

These conversations will be a dynamic, interactive experience that challenges us to think differently about the complex dynamics of culture, community, and what we truly value.

So what do you think? Are you willing to invest two hours to join us in reimagining the future of philanthropy and community-building?

Your presence and perspective are essential, which is why one of us asked you to visit this page.  We look forward to this think-and-feel tank experience with you!

OCTober 2024